Montgomerie endorses McGinley for Europe Ryder Cup captain, insists he is not bitter

Rory McIlroy, right, congratulates Paul McGinley of Ireland, holding the Ryder Cup, after he was nominated as the Captain for the 2014 European Ryder Cup Team following a meeting of the Tournament Committee of the European Tour in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Salazar)
(The Associated Press)

A day after missing out on Europe's Ryder Cup captaincy, Colin Montgomerie says he's not bitter and is fully behind the choice of Paul McGinley.

Montgomerie, the winning 2010 captain, emerged as a late candidate after Darren Clarke pulled out of contention for the job, preferring to concentrate on his own game. But the 49-year-old Scotsman was opposed by several players, most notably No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy who felt he wouldn't be motivated to win a second Ryder Cup.

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Montgomerie said he was "flattered" to be considered and said he didn't campaign for the job.

Asked if he was bitter about not being chosen, the Scotsman said "goodness no, nothing to do with that at all."